Director – Frontiers Group

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group is to uncover and make visible the emerging frontiers of science, identifying pioneering explorers to create new knowledge, and produce important solutions that make the world better.

We are seeking a Director for The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group (Frontiers Group) to work with leadership to continue the Frontiers Group’s mission of supporting bold ideas as well as to lead its day-to-day operations. This role will partner with the Executive Vice President, Office of Science and Innovation, and lead a team of Frontiers Group staff to oversee a portfolio that includes diverse partnerships and national and international grants; create, direct, and assess the impact of current and past scientific research programs and events; lead continuous information-gathering efforts with thought leaders, organizational leaders, and early career investigators worldwide; and identify, anticipate, and advance directions that offer first-in opportunities in areas of bioscience that could generate transformative or paradigm-shifting outcomes. The Director will represent the Frontiers Group as an ambassador and advocate in a variety of professional and social settings.

The successful candidate should bring to the position proven leadership capabilities, capability to keep the Frontiers Group at the bleeding edge of the next era of science and innovation, skill in implementing approaches and initiatives, and sound judgment of scientific ideas and partner organizations’ cultures and synergies. This also includes a passionate curiosity about the world, desire to find new ways into hard, unsolved problems, ability to interact with a wide range of people to elicit their best ideas and develop authentic partnerships, respect for innovation, ability to connect and integrate across multiple scales in science given the complexity of biology as we know it today, ability to communicate well with a variety of audiences, and commitment to share ideas freely. The Director will report to the Executive Vice President, Office of Science and Innovation.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences, and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions

• Lead an innovative science philanthropy group and achieve high impact across the life sciences regionally, nationally, and internationally
• Represent and promote the Frontiers Group’s mission and activities internally and externally
• Lead, manage, motivate, and recruit as needed to foster and develop an agile and creative team
• Oversee and guide landscaping activities, grant making process, portfolio management, and events
• Develop and nurture strategic relationships with external stakeholders and potential partners including thought leaders, peer funders, and research institutions
• Identify, originate, and oversee special projects research, initiatives development, analysis, and reporting of critical issues
• Develop effective strategies in conversation with key advisors, set program directions and policies, and ensure adherence
• Oversee preparation of and present reports to senior leadership and key advisors, including attending and reporting at Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Council meetings
• Oversee hiring of contractors and management of vendors
• Take responsibility for budget and financial planning, including managing the annual budget process and presenting reports to senior leadership and key advisors
• Other related duties, as assigned

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• 10 years of relevant professional technical experience in scientific and/or technical leadership role(s)
• 5 years of management of staff and/or multi-tier teams
• 2 years of relevant experience in science philanthropy, scientific grant management, or other science administration roles
• Direct experience and successful record undertaking and managing multi-disciplinary and/or matrixed and integrated scientific programs of complexity and scale
• Experience with forming and managing relationships with external partners, internal stakeholders, and eminent thought leaders
• Understanding of diverse research relationships, operational frameworks, and research networks

Preferred Education and Experience

• PhD in a scientific discipline and post-doctoral research experience
• 10+ years of relevant post-PhD experience in scientific and/or technical leadership role(s)
• 5+ years of relevant experience in science philanthropy, scientific grant management, or other science administration roles
• Bold leadership and ability to think strategically to advance programs and initiatives
• Ability to be nimble and responsive to new opportunities and landscape changes
• Strong sense and instinct for science and technology trends and emerging opportunity areas and/or interfaces across science, technology, and applications in life sciences
• Demonstrated operational and budget management skills and experience
• Understanding, appreciation for, and experience with open science principles and practice
• Commitment to promote inclusion in all forms
• Thoughtful partnership and emotional intelligence abilities to productively influence thinking and decision making across diverse initiatives and stakeholders
• Ability to work with abstract ideas and situations across various functional areas of the business/Institute operations
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Excellent judgment and comfort making decisions in data-rich and data-poor environments
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite
• Able to act in accordance with Allen Institute values as outlined in the Code of Conduct

Physical Demands

• Sitting, standing and/or walking for up to 8 hours per day
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Occasional evening and weekend hours as needed
• This role is currently able to work in a hybrid work environment. We are a Washington State employer, and any remote work must be performed in Washington State

Travel

• Estimated travel 5–30%
• Occasional travel to partner sites for compliance oversight required [note that depending on the event travel may not be required to attend]
• Attendance and participation in national and international conferences required [note that depending on the event travel may not be required to attend]

Additional Comments

• *Please note, this opportunity does sponsor work visas*
• **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation assistance**

Annualized Salary Range

$174,000 - $255,200*

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.